Answering the Auditor's Call with Automation

As DBAs, we're called on regularly to produce documentation for security & compliance audits. Being able to show who has what level of access to an instance is the minimum, but we're often asked for more. Collecting this information and compiling it into something usable by auditors could take you hours or even days. But with automation, you can pull it all together in a matter of minutes while you're getting that second cup of coffee from the kitchen.

Through the PowerShell demos presented in this session, you'll learn how to build documentation of your backup regimen, who has access to your databases, and show that you're staying current with SQL Server patches from Microsoft. Whether you have one SQL Server instance or one hundred, you'll be able to create a script to automatically format this data so that it's usable for your auditors - and hopefully be so complete that you don't receive follow-up questions.

Better, Safer SQL Queries from Powershell

If you're working with SQL Server from Powershell as a DBA, developer, analyst, or anyone else running queries, you've probably used functions like Invoke-SqlCmd or Invoke-DbaQuery. But depending on how you're building your queries, this can introduce errors into your data or even cause a huge security problem for the organization!

With the help of the dbatools module, I'll show you how to make these queries safer and at the same time, make them easier to work into your existing Powershell scripts.

Keys to a Healthy Relationship with SQL Server

Developers and DBAs have had a long, sometimes strained relationship. Some developers see DBAs as roadblocks standing in the way of getting their work shipped; some DBAs see developers as agents of chaos bent on ruining their perfect database environments.

In this talk designed for application and database developers, we’ll talk about why SQL Server behaves the way it does, common database and query design pain points, and how we look for them. With real-world examples and tales of troublesome T-SQL, past and present, you’ll start to get a picture of what to do and not to do in your applications. Along the way, you’ll learn how to build a better relationship with both SQL Server and the DBAs responsible for it.

Runtime approx. 60 minutes. Target audience is DBAs, developers, and anyone who writes SQL or does system design

Backup Basics with Powershell and dbatools

As DBAs, one of our top priorities is keeping the organization's data backed up and ready to be restored when needed. We also need to be prepared to answer questions about those backups. Do you have a standard backup process? Can you meet your recovery time requirements? Do you know the backups are good? Do you have documentation of your backup history and verification? Are you backing up your instance configuration as well as the databases themselves?

dbatools has a suite of versatile Powershell functions designed to help you answer those questions confidently and quickly. In this presentation filled with practical examples, we'll take a tour of the core dbatools functions for creating, restoring, and monitoring your backups, whether you're manging one instance or dozens of them.

Runtime is 75-90 minutes. Target audience is DBAs, Powershell experience is not necessary.

The Social Network in SQL Server

You’ve been told for years that it’s important to have a professional network. The community that has grown around SQL Server is one of the strongest and most supportive networks around for technical professionals. We’re more than acquaintances who see each other at meetups – we’re SQLFamily. This introduction to SQLFamily will help you learn where to find folks, how to get involved, and how it can positively change your life and career.

Approx. runtime 30 minutes